Free Sandia Guided Hikes & Open Day: Sept 4

The Sandia Mountain Natural History Center is usually closed to the public, but this Saturday September 4, 2010, you can explore, enjoy the scenery, and join free guided hikes.

The Sandia Mountain Natural History Center in Cedar Crest is open to all this Saturday September 4, 2010, from 9 am to 3 pm, as part of their summer First Saturdays Series – this is the last in the 2010 series.

Usually the 128 acre piñon-juniper forest with over 5 miles of walking trails is only open to school groups, but this Saturday anybody can turn up to hike or spot wildlife from the observation deck, or join guided group hikes.

Free guided nature hikes start at 10 am (till noon) led by SMNHC staff, interpreting the flora and fauna of the Sandia Mountains. The hikes range from an easy child–friendly walk to a moderate 2–mile hike. You need to register for the guided group nature hikes.

Sandia Mountain Natural History Center will be open to explore from 9 am to 3 pm. If you’re not joining the guided hikes, there’s no need to register, just turn up.

• When: Saturday September 4, 2010
• Time: 9 am – 3 pm. No registration required to visit.
  Guided hikes 10 am – noon: Registration required.
• Where: Sandia Mountain Natural History Center, Cedar Crest
• Price: Free!

Sandia Mountain Natural History Center is located at 60 Columbine Lane, Cedar Crest, about 10 minutes from the I-40 / Tramway intersection.

Directions: From I-40 east, take the Cedar Crest exit 175 to Highway 14, the Turquoise Trail. Go through Cedar Crest and about 3 miles from 1-40 look for the Conoco Station on the right and the coffee shop on your left – turn left straight after the coffee shop onto Columbine Lane – it’s a dirt road. The center is about 1 mile ahead – at the end of Columbine.

–Tania

Free Wildlife of the Sandias Event: May 1

The Sandia Mountain Natural History Center is usually closed to the public, but this Saturday you can hike, explore, enjoy the scenery, and join a session on wildlife.

The Sandia Mountain Natural History Center in Cedar Crest is open to all this Saturday May 1, 2010, as part of their First Saturdays Series that runs on the first Saturday of the month till September.

Usually the 128 acre piñon-juniper forest with over 5 miles of walking trails is only open to school groups, but on First Saturdays anybody can turn up to hike or spot wildlife from the observation deck, or take part in any public programs.

On Saturday there’s a session between 10 and 11 am on animal behaviors and habits in this area, but the Sandia Mountain Natural History Center will be open to explore from 9 am to 3 pm.

It’s all free, and you don’t need to register. Just turn up with your sturdy boots at Sandia Mountain Natural History Center, 60 Columbine Lane, Cedar Crest.

Directions: From I-40 east, take the Cedar Crest exit 175 to Highway 14, the Turquoise Trail. Go through Cedar Crest and about 3 miles from 1-40 look for the Conoco Station on the right and the coffee shop on your left – turn left straight after the coffee shop onto Columbine Lane – it’s a dirt road. The center is about 1 mile ahead – at the end of Columbine.

–Tania

NM National Parks Free Entry to April 25

A reminder from our post last week that this is National Park Week, and through Sunday April 25 you can enter every one of the country’s 392 national parks for free – and we’ve got plenty to choose from in New Mexico!

In free National Park Week  every single park waives its admission fee and you can explore without paying a cent. This also happens to take place over the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, Thursday April 22 – so you’ve got every excuse to plan a day trip to visit a park you don’t know yet, or return to an old favorite.

The New Mexico National Parks with free admission until April 25, 2010, include:

• Aztec Ruins National Monument
• Bandelier National Monument
• Carlsbad Caverns National Park
• Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument
• Pecos National Historic Park
• White Sands National Monument

Here’s the map and full list of New Mexico National Parks.

Albuquerque’s own Petroglyph National Monument is always free to enter (with a nominal parking fee at Boca Negra Canyon). Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument is always free too. 

–Tania

Free Entry to National Parks: April 17-25

During National Park Week from April 17-25 you can enter every one of the country’s 392 national parks for free – and we’ve got plenty to choose from in New Mexico!

If you’re ready to throw off the winter woollies and get into the Great American Outdoors (and yes it’s probably just wusses like me who are still easing ourselves into hiking the hills while humming the Sound of Music) then next week provides the perfect excuse.

It’s free National Park Week  from April 17 to 25, 2010, when every single park waives its admission fee and you can explore without paying a cent. This also happens to take place over the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, Thursday April 22 – so you’ve got every reason to plan a day trip to visit a park you don’t know yet, or return to an old favorite.

The New Mexico National Parks with free admission next week include:

• Aztec Ruins National Monument
• Bandelier National Monument
• Carlsbad Caverns National Park
• Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument
• Pecos National Historic Park
• White Sands National Monument

Here’s the map and full list of New Mexico National Parks.

Albuquerque’s own Petroglyph National Monument is always free to enter (with a nominal parking fee at Boca Negra Canyon). Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument is always free too. 

–Tania

Cheap Weekend: Sipapu Father’s Day Fishing Derby

If Dad possesses mad fishing skilz — or even if he just enjoys casting every now and then — this weekend getaway might make a great Father’s Day gift.

Sipapu is holding its first Father’s Day Fishing Derby on Saturday, June 20 (2009), and they have plenty of other family-friendly activities available, in case fishing’s not your thing. Just $59 per person per night gets you accommodations, free entry into the fishing derby, and a BBQ dinner on the patio with a demonstration from the chef on how to cook your trout. Plus, kids 12 and under are FREE!

Besides fishing in the resort’s stocked trout pond, you can play FREE Frisbee golf on their world-class course. Of course, there’s always hiking the beautiful mountainsides, too, and simply kicking back and enjoying nature.

This special package  is good only June 20 and 21, 2009. Mention the “Father’s Day Fishing Derby Package” when you call to make reservations: 800-587-2240.

Sipapu Ski & Summer Resort is located due south of Taos, at 5524 State Road 518, Vadito, NM.

–Elizabeth Hanes